Wine Terroirs

Wine Terroirs

26 Jun 2023

Champagne co-operative wineries: strength in numbers
Producing your own wine is a challenging task where seemingly trivial choices can rapidly become consequential. Winegrowers’ character traits can come into sharper focus and before Champagne becomes an art form, it requires technical skills. Joining forces to produce it may seem like a tall order, but the reality belies this assumption. Co-operative wineries account for a sizeable chunk of production and have met with significant success. To find out more, we questioned six co-operatives producing different styles of Champagne from different areas.

Wine Terroirs

05 Jun 2023

Côtes de Bordeaux, united in their desire for diversification
The Côtes de Bordeaux group of appellations is a major player both in France and export markets, but it is increasingly under threat from a fragile, volatile economic climate. We decided to sound out some of the area’s leading lights and hear their testimonials about a wine market that is struggling to reinvent itself.

Wine Terroirs

15 May 2023

Alsace: A mosaic of vineyard sites enhancing varietal expression
Alsace is home to varietal wines even though several varieties can sometimes be blended. This apparently simple approach in actual fact belies the region’s remarkable complexity and array of vineyard sites. It promotes multiple combinations that lend the wines their unique characters.

Wine Terroirs

02 May 2023

Rioja’s international acclaim shows no sign of waning
As a premier Spanish wine region, Rioja has scaled the heights of quality and allowed the country to shine in the global wine firmament. Although rival regions such as Priorat and Ribera del Duero may be knocking on the door of vinous fame too, Rioja is not about to relinquish its ranking. It has not rested on the laurels of tradition and in recent times has successfully reinvented itself as evidenced by the relentless growth of its exports. We take a closer look at a trend that shows no signs of abating.

Wine Terroirs

24 Apr 2023

Savoy Chignin and Chignin-Bergeron, neighbours cut from a different cloth
The Savoy wine region has fostered two genuinely complementary appellations with virtually identical names, but flavours that bear little resemblance. Although Chignin and Chignin-Bergeron are grown in neighbouring vineyards, they showcase the qualities and unique characteristics of two different grape varieties and mountain sites that are almost one-of-a-kind in France…

Wine Terroirs

17 Apr 2023

Argentina, beyond Malbec
Argentina is renowned around the world for its Malbec, but in its fertile soils, many vibrant wines are also being produced from other varieties, both autochthonous and European.

Wine Terroirs

13 Mar 2023

Lirac, Tavel & Châteauneuf-du-Pape diamonds in the rough
Mention the Southern Rhone wine region and most people immediately think Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As the region’s spearhead, blessed with ancient craftsmanship and an international reputation, it could easily make us forget that very nearby other fine southern wines are being produced, on similar soils. One is Lirac, in all three colours, and the other is the rosé-only Tavel appellation. We go on a voyage of discovery through these three appellations to look at their unique characters.